Australia’s South32 acquires tug for mining support duties

Western Australia-based mining and metals company South32 has placed an order for a new ASD tug from Damen Shipyards Group.

The 23-metre, 70-tonne bollard pull tug is available in stock and will be delivered in the coming weeks from Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam.

Though a standard Damen design, it is being fitted out with a number of options to meet South32’s specifications. These include installation of a push bow, CCTV cameras, a crane, and a second towing line and anchor.

The tug will be used by South32 subsidiary Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO) as an escort tug in support of its manganese mining operation on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, approximately 650 kilometres south-east of Darwin.